Hiking & Camping Big Bend’s South Rim with Kids (Our 10-Year Journey) #camping

We set out on the South Rim Loop in Big Bend National Park—12 miles, 2,400 feet of elevation gain, and carrying every drop of water and gear we'd need to sleep in a tent for a night that got below freezing. It’s one of the most difficult and rewarding hikes in Texas, and this time we weren’t alone. Our kids, ages 7 and 8, hiked every step beside us. Few children ever see the sunrise from the South Rim, and for them it became more than a hike—it was a lesson in perseverance and pushing through challenges.

But this trip was about more than the trail. Ten years ago, my wife and I came to Big Bend after one of the hardest seasons of our lives. Following years of infertility, we had just miscarried our first child. We came to this place with broken hearts, not knowing if we’d ever be able to have children.

Now, a decade later, we returned with two kids by our side—an experience we’ll never take for granted. Hiking to the South Rim reminded us of how far we’ve come, but also that the journey isn’t over. There are still more miles to go, more blessings to see, and more sunrises ahead.